Tuesday, November 28, 2006

"Exploding Box" Class...

Exploding Box Class - "An Exploding Year" - by Anso

Please feel free to use these instructions to make your own boxes. You are free to link to this page from any forum etc if you wish. Please do NOT copy this information and/or photos to use for your own classes/forums/webpages without permission. Please also note that I'm not claiming that I have invented the exploding box, but these simple step-by-step instructions and photos are mine.

Class Supply list:

For the box you will need:* 3x 12x12 sheets of cardstock For the lid you will need: * 1x 12x12 sheet of cardstock (though this can be A4 also, you only need a 6 ¼”x6 ¼” piece)

I would recommend that your four sheets are either exactly the same colour, or different shades of the same colour. Of course, if you want more of a rainbow effect (!) you could use four sheets of totally different colours. I have used two different shades of green Bazzill. The class with mainly focus on how to make the exploding box itself. However I will also supply some photos of my finished box. If you wish to continue after the class and decorate your box you will need: about 5-6 sheets of co-ordinating patterned paper (assuming you want to cover the “pages”) up to 26 small photos (assuming: one on each “flap”(front and back), one in the middle of the box and one on the top of the lid) ribbon to go around the lid (optional) any other embellishments etc that you want to use. The class is called “An Exploding Year” because my box will feature “random” photos from the past year…so it’s kind of like a summary of a “year in a box”.

First of all – please don’t be put off by how long the instructions are. It’s only because I have made them VERY simple and step-by-step with lots of pictures. Making the box and lid (not decorated) only took me 30 minutes. And then I had to stop all the time to take photos of the different stages.

Normally I work in metric, but for making this box it’s actually easier to make it using inches…so that’s what we’ll do. Ready?

1. First we’ll do the box itself. Take your three sheets of cardstock and cut them as follows:

2. Now score each sheet according to the measurements below. You score on all four sides (see photo below).

• score the 9 x 9 sheet, 3 inches in from each side• score the 8 5/8 x 8 5/8 sheet, 2 7/8 inches in from each side• score the 8 ¼ x 8 ¼ sheet, 2 ¾ inches in from each side

3. Following your scored lines, cut off all four corners on all three pieces.

4. At this point (and this is optional) you might want to ink the edges (don’t forget to do both sides!) and/or round the corners.

5. Now you need to glue together your pieces. It’s easiest if you start by putting the smallest piece on to the middle piece and then the medium (+smallest) piece onto the largest one. I would suggest you use double-sided tape for this. You ONLY put your tape/glue on the MIDDLE square. Like this:

…and don’t forget you do NOT need glue on the back of your largest piece. Once you have put them together, you should end up with something looking like this:

6. Fold up the edges of your scored lines.

7. Now you can put the box to one side. It’s finished for you to continue decorating now or later. Onto the box lid:

8. Take your piece of cardstock for the lid and cut it to: 6 ¼ x 6 ¼ inches

9. Now score the lid, 1 ½ inch in from each of the four edges.

10. Right, this might be a bit tricky to explain in words, but the photo below should help you. TURN YOUR CARD OVER and you need to score from the tip of each corner, diagonally, until you meet your scored “corner” lines. See photos:

11. Fold all your scorelines and pinch the corners and fold them inwards. See photo:

12. Glue the corners in place. I found that double-sided tape was NOT strong enough for this (it holds for a little while and then lets go) so I would recommend a wet glue, something like Glossy Accents or Diamond Glaze for this. You can either hold the corners for a little minute until the glue is dry enough to hold the corners in place, or you can use some paperclips to hold the corners in place while drying.

...your lid should now be finished and look like this:

And your finished complete box should look something like this:

If you want to continue decorating your box, I would recommend the following measures for your paper (I’m swapping to metric now since it’s easier to be more exact):

• one 7,5x7,5 centimetre square for the top of the lid• one 6,5x6,5 centimetre square for the centre inside your box

I have used Chatterbox papers for mine and this is what my box looks like decorated:

I have used small photos in mine. I used 20 photos in my box. One on each page (not on the lid, centre square, or the four sides that makes up the outside of the box) and I printed my photos: 8 photos to a 15x10cm photo (6x4 inches). Very easy if you have an Epson PictureMate. Each little photo measures: 5x4 cm.

And here is my finished box: I hope you have enjoyed my class and thank you so much for taking it!

Thank you for sharing this class. I am going to have a go at your class. I would love to be able to use your instructions in our crop if you wouldn't mind? and possibly also in school if we collapse the timetable

Hi thank you so much I was directed here by a friend and sat down and made my box straight away (wel;l after kiddie bedtime!). It comes our red in the pics but is dark pink here is a link I hope you like it, Michelle:

Thank you so much for posting your class, it's great. I am going to post a link on my blog www.thescrapbookhouse.wordpress.com so our girls can see what a great job you have done. Love the 'by country' tally. Lets see if we can bump up those Aussie numbers. Tania

Wow, thanks for this!! I've never made anything like this and yet the instructions were so clear and simple that I've got the main box and lid done this lunchtime while my toddlers napped :D Now I can have fun decorating it!

Hi Anso, i came accross your "Exploding box" class and thought it was superb with all of the pictured detail. This will be my first attempt at scrapbooking and i am going to make one for my sister and put some of her wedding photo's in it. (what a surprise it will be for her) Happy new year to you. Thanks Teresa.

Thank you, Anso, for the great instructions on the exploding box. They were easy to follow and the pictures really helped. I have completed my first box and I am very pleased with the results. It was kind of you to share your instructions. Look forward to other projects, maybe? Again, thank you!

My Gosh.. how I love this box :)I made onw myself... we were like 22 girls / and one boy that went out in the country and stayed there for 4 days. And at Saturday evening we all came together in the dining room and made these boxes ;) It was so much fun :)Here is a photo of my box, if someone cares to see..Love from Iceland,BarbaraHafey.http://indland.barnaland.is/album/img/10337/20070118225627_2.jpg

and inside:http://indland.barnaland.is/album/img//10337/20070118225615_1.jpg

Great Directions, Anso! May I have permission to use these directions in a scrapbooking class for 4Hers, boys and girls from ages 8 to probably 14, at our project day? We have a little over an hour and I was looking for something a little more interesting than doing a basic page layout!thanks!Sue K, 4H volunteer in Maryland

Fantastic - my first box was gorgeous, and I'd love to be able to share your directions with my friends who want one too - may I have your permission to do so? Not all of them have internet access to be able to check out your website.

Fantastic Instructions, I tried my first exploding box from a magazine and they had printed the incorrect sizes, I got into a right mess! Luckily one of my fellow UKS friends directed to me to the correct sizes, but the magazine should have had your instructions in cos they are loads better! (I wish I had found yours first!)

Hi Anso - just wanted to say thanks so much for your super instructions. I had a go - and it worked first time!! Here's a link if you want to have a peek. http://scrappydo.wordpress.com/2007/04/29/exploding-box/

Thanks so much for your class, I have wanted to make one for weeks, but all other insructions looked to difficult,yours really shows how easy it is.I'm o go and make one now!, once again many thanks. Sharonx

WOW. Thanks for the easy instructions for making the exploding box. Had never heard of it until recently. Glad that I did. I finished the main part of the box and just need to make the top. Will be making many more.

Thank you so much for sharing these instructions! I have been looking all over to learn how to make one of these boxes. I've seen a couple of sites with instructions but they looked so daunting using chipboard, etc. Your instructions are so clear and concise I can't wait to give a try. Thank you!

Thanks so much for sharing these instructions, I did a search, and all the links kept coming back to you! The instructions are so clear, and the photos show exactly what to do.... which is why I'm asking your permission to use them. I am helping organise a crop in a couple of weekends for ScrapPink, and thought this would be a fantastic project for the ladies to do. If you were to give me permission, I would certainly put your name/website on the instructions. Thanks alot.

Following your excellent directions, I made a box yesterday and I am very pleased with it. I'm now waiting on my pictures to be printed to see how they fit in the box. Thanks for having the free on-line classes!

THANKYOU I'VE JUST MADE MY EXPLODING BOX, THANKS TO YOUR INTRUCTIONS ON CHARMED CARDS SITE.IT IS SO CLEAR,I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO MAKE ONE AFTER ADMIRING OTHERS! thankyou, i shall work my way through your classes too!!

This is brilliant! I've always admired these boxes, but wouldn't have had the first idea how to go about making one. Your instructions were so clear and your examples so great that I would feel confident giving it a go and that it would be successful! Thank you for your instructions!!!

Anso, Thank you for sharing the instructions. I made a box with different instructions, well it didn't come out as well as I thought it should. I just did one with your instructions and --- WOW!! It was so much easier. I was wondering if it would be possible for me to share these instructions in group class?

Thank you so so much for your brilliant photos and step-by-step instructions!! Have been looking everywhere for exploding boxes only to find they have all sold out...now I can make templates and make them myself instead of waiting!

I'm late to the game Anso - (beautiful name)..but I am always needing to take my kids at he Boys & Girls Club a "notch" higher if you will and get them to try something different. I will give you ALL the credit as my expertise lies in paper, scissors and glue ...not ideas. 'THANKS' for your genius and step-by-step or I;d be L-O-S-T!

HI, love the instructions! We are in the midst of opening a store (this coming friday!!) and I wanted to ask If I could use your instructions for one of our first classes coming up. Please let me know, thanks!

I would love to teach this project to our group of Home Bureau ladies and will need permission to use your great instructions. Home Bureau is a New York State organization that does community service projects, crafts etc. We meet once a year and teach craft projects. If possible could you email me permission to use your instructions.My email is cmsherman40@hotmail.comThanksCarol

I was referred to this site for this project and the instructions were very simple to follow. I would like to make a larger one...would it be possible to start with a 12X12 piece of paper and work my way down that way? Would you be willing to help me figure out the dimensions that would be needed? Thanks!

Thank you for your clear instructions, they are great. I made these boxes recently for friends & have now been asked by one to show the ladies at her flower club how to make them. I will not be getting paid for this. Would it be ok to print off your instructions & use/give them to the ladies please? I will of course credit them to you & direct the ladies to your blog site.

Hi, I am putting together a craft night for some women in my church and your directions for the explosion box are the simplest and easiest to understand. Would you mind if I used them? Each women has to sign up if she wants to make one...there will be many projects to choose from so I am not sure how many will make it. With the directions I could put the link to your blog if you would like. Just let me know if you would be okay with this or not. My email is nervous_nancy@hotmail.com Thanks - Nancy!

Many thanks for your brilliant clear instructions. I've just finished my first box - an 18th birthday present for one of my nieces - and I'm thrilled with the result. I hope she'll enjoy looking at it for many years to come.

We love the explosion box, maze book and man card. could we have permission to share the instructions in a class. we are the only scrapbooking store in our town! Of course, you would full credit for the directions and photos.

Absolutely delighted with your tutorials, I shall be coming back for more, after I have tried to make this exploding box. Your work is excellent and of great value to me as a learner. Thank you very much for these inspiring tutorials.

I'd like to use this pattern for a church class. Once every 3 months we get together and make crafts and do service projects. This is just so nifty! It would just be aces if you'd allow us to use your pattern! You said we could use it with permission. Anso May we please use it?

I'd like to use this pattern for a church class. Once every 3 months we get together and make crafts and do service projects. This is just so nifty! It would just be aces if you'd allow us to use your pattern! You said we could use it with permission. Anso May we please use it?

I'd like to use this pattern for a church class. Once every 3 months we get together and make crafts and do service projects. This is just so nifty! It would just be aces if you'd allow us to use your pattern! You said we could use it with permission. Anso May we please use it?

You've done such a fabulous job of explaining ~ and beautiful job of showing how to make those boxes! I would love to show friends coming over how to create them, if that would be OK?Thank you so much for sharing!Susan

This is a great glass! You make it seem super easy, and thank you so much for giving the measurement for the photos, I always have a hard time deciding what size to use! I'm going to make this to serve as a mini album for my sons first birthday...you know since it looks like a little present! I can't wait to get started!

wow, this is amazing!! I seen a quick blurp about this box on tv but never got the instructions to make it. I am so happy you posted this class and have very well written instructions and pictures. Thanks so much for sharing =)

My friend and I were looking for a cute but easy idea for our end of the year gifts for our kid's teacher gifts when we came apon your exploding picture box's. They were so easy to make. The teachers just loved them. Thanks.

This is really cool. Thanks so much for these instructions. I'm a new grandmother and a new scrapbooker! Did you use the Cricut to cut the shapes? If so, which cartridge did you use. Seems like it would make it easier to get the exact measurements.What did you use to make the corners round? Thanks, CaryM

Thank you so much for your simple instructions. I would like your permission to use some of your pictures. I have worked up instructions for a paket that the young women in my chyrch can make at girls' camp. I have done most of the cutting myself but would love to be able to use some of your pictures.thankscheryl

good evening,I am a public school art teacher and was wondering if I could use your instructions and/or pictures on my class web page for my 9th grade students. I teach 3-D art and I think this would make a great assignment for them to use. I would, of course, reference your web page on the class website. I appreciate your time, please feel free to contact me.Zoraida

I love your site! I've made these for my son's grandparents and they love them! You are so talented. A group of ladies at my church want to learn how to make these (for personal use). May I have your permission to show them your instructions, with full recognition going to you? I would also help them make their own boxes and I wouldn't get paid. Thanks for all your hard work!

I don't know if you ever look at the comments on this since you posted it in 2006 :-) I wanted to post anyway and tell you how much I appreciate the detailed instructions that you gave. I love this project and I hope my family will love their Christmas gifts just as much!

I am so inspired and you explain each step so carefully. I am planning to make some for the parents of the children in my care and would be pleased if they come out just 1/10 as beautiful as yours! Thank you x

Hello Anso! I soooo enjoyed making this box as gifts last year for Christmas! It was a huge hit!! I just started my own website last month, and was wondering if I could use your instrustions and photos on my website. Please let me know ASAP I would love for my readers to have the chance to make some boxes for their own gifts for christmas this year! Thank you !